Organization Structure

FIRST has a two-tier decision-making structure:  (i) a governing council (“Governing Council”), which provides strategic guidance to FIRST, sets overall policies and priorities and approves large projects, and (ii) the Project management Unit ("PMU"), which manages day-to-day activities of FIRST and approves all projects in coordination with the Project Approval Committee.

The Governing Council

FIRST is guided by a Governing Council comprising one representative of each of FIRST’s Main Donors, a representative from the Bank and a representative from the IMF.  “Main Donors” are defined as Donors who have contributed at least US$ 2,000,000 (two million United States dollars) in cash contributions to FIRST. 

Program Management Unit

The World Bank manages FIRST’s work program on behalf of Donors through the PMU as described in the FIRST Charter. The PMU is led by the Program Manager, who is recruited internationally and hired by the World Bank.